Day 9 – Deep Gap Shelter to Franklin, NC

We hiked about 4 miles early today to catch the 9am shuttle into Franklin. Had some cool morning sun shining down.

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Morning sun in North Carolina

The shuttle here is run by Ron Haven, who owns the Budget Inn in Franklin, runs numerous daily shuttles for hikers, is Macon county commissioner, and was a semi-professional wrestler from 1976 to 1981. This dude is amazingly friendly and seriously awesome. We showered and laundered up and gorged on some sports bar food for lunch. Later we took  yet another Ron Haven – supplied shuttle out to a small local outfit called “Walmart” to buy food for our resupply. Rocked some local pizza from a place called Vito’s for dinner. Otherwise, it’s been a mostly slow and relaxing day. Tomorrow we’re back on the trail. We’ve got about 4 days of pretty tough hiking in NC ahead, then a day off in Fontana Dam, then we head into Tennessee and the Smokies for some good times next week.

1 thought on “Day 9 – Deep Gap Shelter to Franklin, NC

  1. Mom Hnatow

    Your photos are amazing! The scenery looks just breathtaking. I’m so impressed that you have enough energy left to walk to the top of a fire tower (from an earlier post) after some serious climbing. Keep on hiking! I’ll keep on sending those positive thoughts and prayers!

    Reply

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